The week ending April 19 marked the seventh week of multi-digit year-over-year sales gains for hot dogs. Dollar sales increased 29% and volume sales increased 21% over the week of April 19 versus the comparable week in 2019, according to IRI. National brands make up 97% of total hot dog sales and grew dollar sales 29%. With many lunch, dinner and snack occasions having moved from restaurants, campuses, school cafeterias and other foodservice establishments to at home, hot dogs very quickly ramped up as a go-to solution as a kid-friendly, protein dense, versatile and easy-to-prepare solution amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Type
Beef hot dogs represent more than 60% of total hot dog sales and grew the most, at +36%. The prolonged duration of the double-digit increases, particularly during Easter week and this week, going up against Easter 2019 sales, points to a higher everyday demand following the initial stock-up purchases.